Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
06:39

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2016

16.8K

Coronary and Peripheral Vasomotor Responses to Mental Stress

Muhammad Hammadah1, Jeong Hwan Kim1, Ibhar Al Mheid1

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

Journal of the American Heart Association
|May 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Coronary microvascular function during mental stress (MS) depends on endothelial function, not just artery dilation. Peripheral microvascular responses to MS mirror coronary microcirculatory changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Coronary microvascular dysfunction is implicated in myocardial ischemia during mental stress (MS).
  • The precise role of epicardial and microvascular function in regulating coronary blood flow (CBF) during MS is not fully understood.
  • This study investigates the link between coronary vasomotion during MS and endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if coronary vasomotion during MS is dependent on coronary microvascular endothelial function.
  • To assess if peripheral microvascular circulation reflects coronary microvascular responses during MS.

Main Methods:

  • 38 patients undergoing coronary angiography had endothelium-dependent and -independent responses measured.
  • Intracoronary acetylcholine and nitroprusside were used to assess epicardial and microvascular function.
  • Peripheral microvascular tone during MS was measured using peripheral arterial tonometry.

Main Results:

  • Mental stress (MS) increased heart rate-pressure product and constricted epicardial arteries but did not alter CBF.
  • Acetylcholine increased CBF, indicating intact endothelium-dependent microvascular function.
  • MS-induced CBF response correlated with acetylcholine-induced changes, not nitroprusside-induced ones.
  • Peripheral arterial tonometry ratio correlated with demand-adjusted CBF during MS.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary microvascular response to MS is primarily driven by endothelium-dependent function.
  • Endothelium-independent function does not significantly influence coronary microvascular response to MS.
  • Peripheral microvascular responses during MS accurately reflect coronary microcirculatory changes.
Abstract

Keywords:
endothelial functionepicardialflowmental stressmicrovascularresistance

More Related Videos

Testing Acetylcholine Followed by Adenosine for Invasive Diagnosis of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders05:58

Testing Acetylcholine Followed by Adenosine for Invasive Diagnosis of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: February 3, 2021

4.3K
Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans10:36

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans

Published on: May 21, 2020

15.0K

Related Concept Videos

Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
958
Responses to Salt Stress02:02

Responses to Salt Stress

Salt stress—which can be triggered by high salt concentrations in a plant’s environment—can significantly affect plant growth and crop production by influencing photosynthesis and the absorption of water and nutrients.
14.7K
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress02:45

Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
14.9K
Stress Response System01:21

Stress Response System

The stress response system, also known as the fight-or-flight response, is the body's automatic physiological reaction to perceived threats. Hans Selye introduced the concept of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to describe the predictable pattern of changes that occur in response to stress. GAS consists of three sequential stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This model helps explain how chronic stress can contribute to health problems.
Alarm stage
In the alarm stage, the body's...
921
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
720
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria01:30

Other Stress Responses in Bacteria

Bacteria have global regulatory systems that control several types of stress mechanisms. These include Pho regulon and the heat shock response, which are essential systems for environmental adaptation, such as nutrient limitation and proteotoxic stress. The Pho regulon and the heat shock response exemplify bacterial resilience, enabling rapid adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.Pho RegulonBacteria require phosphorus for essential cellular processes, including nucleic acid...
443